Author: Blake
Age verification: Where do things stand?
After the Digital Economy Act passed in July 2017, implementation of age verification has been repeatedly delayed. We were initially told it would start being enforced in April 2018, but it was put back till the end of 2018. In November the Minister for Digital, Margot James, claimed that it will come into effect by […]
Bristol University research into sex work in the UK
Two Backlash volunteers are participating in a regional meeting for the Bristol University research on sex work in the UK tomorrow. Backlash responded to this consultation in July last year; discussing the ways that criminalising sex work harms more marginalised workers and advocating for the decriminalisation of sex work as a […]
Upskirting now illegal in the UK
Good news for those who care about consent: this week ‘upskirting’ became illegal in the UK. This refers to the act of photographing under someone’s clothing without their consent and usually without their knowledge. The new law makes it illegal for anyone of any gender to violate someone’s consent in this way, if […]
January consent workshop – Getting and Giving What We Want
We are delighted to announce that next week Felix and Blake will once again be facilitating a consent workshop in London. This is another opportunity to participate in the sold-out workshop held in October, which is being run again due to popular demand. Here’s what attendees from the previous workshop had to say […]
What the BDSM community can teach us about consent
The Metro has just published a piece on What the BDSM community can teach us about consent, interviewing Backlash spokesperson Blake. ‘This idea that consent is a contract is really pernicious,’ Blake says. ‘Consent is revocable and ongoing, and being encouraged to change your mind is necessary for consent. By saying […]
Consent workshop in London – Getting and Giving What We Want
Have you ever said yes when you meant no, or no when you meant yes? This event is for you. Backlash is producing a new consent workshop as part of our ongoing efforts to protect adult consent, especially in the BDSM and sex positive communities. Getting and Giving What We […]
ResistAV
Backlash has launched a campaign to challenge the new age verification rules for online porn. #ResistAV presents Curtains for Privacy starring porn star Misha Mayfair and Backlash spokesperson and activist Pandora Blake, warning of the risk of UK adults being outed under the Digital Economy Act’s 2017 age verification requirements. […]
Backlash response to the BBFC age verification consultation
Dear Sir/Madam, I am responding to this BBFC consultation on the Digital Economy Act 2017 and the proposed Age Verification (AV) regime : – http://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-bbfc/dea-consultation Introduction. Before responding to the questions posed in the consultation I want to stress four points: – 1. Opposition to AV: This regime is not […]
Tell the BBFC that age verification will do more harm than good
By the end of this year, the Government is planning to enforce new rules requiring anyone in the UK to prove their age before looking at pornographic websites. Young people deserve our protection and support, but there is no evidence that these measures will do anything to keep children safe […]
House of Lords briefing on the Digital Economy Bill
Digital Economy Bill Briefing on Section 3: Age verification for online pornography The age verification section of the Digital Economy Bill proposes a technological response to a complex social issue. The policy raises serious concerns regarding loss of personal privacy; increased risk of credit card fraud and identity theft; increased […]